Online Kansas City Poker Rooms in MO

Learn about the history and legality of online poker in Kansas City, Missouri, and find offshore poker websites that accept players coming from this city.

Last Updated on February 15, 2024 by

Adrian Sterne

Fact checked by Dusan Jovanovic

Kansas City, Missouri, may be known for its fountains, jazz music, and delicious barbecue, but we can’t really call it a hotbed for online poker.

True, MO has 13 commercial riverboat casinos, but when it comes to internet gaming, it’s lagging behind.

Nevertheless, there’s no need to throw in the towel just yet — there are still ways to get in on the action.

Players from the BBQ Capital of the World can turn to social poker websites and sweepstakes casinos for casual fun or offshore poker sites for the excitement of real-money poker.

This guide touches upon the poker history in Kansas City, Missouri, and provides tips on choosing the best online poker room.

Best Online Poker Sites in Kansas City, Missouri

Offshore-based poker rooms are your only bet if you’re looking to play online poker in Kansas City. But don’t throw your chips around willy-nilly, as not all these sites offer quality services.

Fear not; we’ve done the dirty work for you and tested a bunch of these platforms, checking them out for licensing, safety, reputation, game selection, payment options, promos, and rake, among other things.

Regardless of the site you choose, you’ll be playing with international sharks in a safe and secure environment.

My list of the best poker sites which I consider to be the best rooms to play in 2024:

100% Legal & Licensed
Verified Bonus
Mobile Friendly
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Must be 18+ to participate.

# 1 Poker Site

5.0 / 5.0

100% up to $1000

18+. T&Cs Apply

Regulated by

100% First deposit bonus
Top 3 in US player traffic
Great selection of games
Banking through cryptocurrencies

Payout speed 1-3 days

Deposit options

+10

Exclusive bonus

100% up to $1000

18+. T&Cs Apply

Visit Site Read Review

# 2

5.0 / 5.0

100% upto $3000

18+. T&Cs Apply

Regulated by

Increased Poker Crypto Bonus $1500
Exclusively for US players
Many Payment Options
Rich Player Traffic

Payout speed 1-3 days

Deposit options

Exclusive bonus

100% upto $3000

18+. T&Cs Apply

Visit Site Read Review

# 3

4.0 / 5.0

200% upto $1000

18+. T&Cs Apply

Regulated by

Recreational Player Traffic
Get a 200% Match on Your Initial Deposit
Wide Tournament Selection
High-Quality Games

Payout speed 1 - 5 days

Deposit options

Exclusive bonus

200% upto $1000

18+. T&Cs Apply

Visit Site Read Review

Displayed 3 of 8 rooms

Is Online Poker Legal in Kansas City, Mo?

According to the Revised Statutes of Missouri, every game that relies on chance is considered gambling. All forms of gambling that haven’t received explicit approval are deemed unlawful. Unfortunately for poker fans from Kansas City, it means that virtual casino doors remain shut.

The only online game in town is Daily Fantasy Sports, as it’s considered a game of skill rather than chance. There was also hope for legalizing video lottery machines and sports betting, as SB 1 successfully cleared the House in March 2023. However, the Missouri Senate didn’t even get to vote on sports betting legalization, as they’ve folded on approving video lottery games.

Considering how many US states started by first legalizing sportsbooks and lottery, it’s safe to say online poker won’t be allowed before them. But even though internet poker legislation isn’t on the menu for the Missouri government just yet, Kansas City players can still play on offshore poker sites. Is it legal, though?

Well, it falls somewhere in the gray zone, meaning it’s neither completely legal nor illegal.

Since the Missouri Gaming Commission oversees gambling within the state, it can target operators who deal in games of chance without proper permission. For example, if you decided to set up a shop and run an unlicensed gambling operation in MO, it would be a misdemeanor offense, and the penalties are nothing to sneeze at. In the best-case scenario, you’ll get 15 days behind bars and up to $750 in fines.

That said, neither Missouri nor US laws can do anything against websites hosted abroad or the players on these sites. You should, however, consult with a lawyer to make sure you’re playing by the book. In case you don’t want to bother with legal counsel, great alternatives for offshore sites are social poker or sweepstakes poker platforms.

Kansas City, MO Poker Laws

Law
Although Missouri Revised Statutes don’t explicitly address the realm of virtual gambling and online poker, it’s reasonable to assume they would be considered illegal if operated within the state.

Here are some sources to check out if you wish to understand the legal intricacies surrounding gambling laws in Missouri better:

How to Choose the Best Online Poker Room in Kansas City

You must select a reputable offshore poker room, but sifting through too many options can make your head spin. It’s not just about finding a website with your favorite games. You must also ensure it prioritizes certain aspects, such as data protection, secure transactions, fair play, etc.

So read carefully — we’ve outlined what you need to look for to identify a platform that lays its cards on the table.

Licensing and Security

Licensing and security are the critical ingredients of safe gaming. Don’t be fooled into thinking that all sites hosted outside the US are unregulated and unreliable. There are other legit licensing authorities out there that enforce strict standards and keep a watchful eye on these poker platforms.

However, don’t just stop at the license — it’s imperative to steer clear of any sites that neglect security measures such as SSL encryption, firewalls, and 2FA. After all, you don’t want your sensitive personal and financial information to fall into the wrong hands!

Games and Tournaments

Some players prefer the classics like Texas Hold’em and Omaha variants, whereas some want to spice things up by exploring games like Crazy Pineapple, Zone Poker, Razz, or Seven Card Stud.

And let’s not forget about tournaments — a diverse schedule of SnG, MTT, satellites, and freerolls with varying buy-ins and prize pools is crucial for any player. If you’re a novice, start with lower buy-ins until you’ve mastered the game.

Bonuses and Promotions

Bonuses and promotions — from sign-up deals to rakeback — can spice up your gaming session, give you more bang for your buck, and up your chances of winning a big chunk of the pot.

Just make sure you know the ins and outs of these deals before jumping in. Ideally, a poker platform will offer bonuses with reasonable expiration dates and achievable rollover requirements. But what exactly would be considered unreasonable?

Let’s say you receive a bonus that requires a 50x wagering requirement and lasts for three days. This means you’ll need to bet the bonus amount 50 times before you can cash out any winnings. It can be challenging, especially if you’re short on time, and you may end up losing more money than you could win from the bonus.

Rake and Player Traffic

The rake is the cut the house takes from every pot, and player traffic is the number of players available at any given moment.

If you’re a savvy poker player, you know that minimizing the rake is key to maximizing your profits. Hence you should look for rooms with low rake percentages to keep more of your winnings in your pocket.

High player traffic is also preferred, as it means more (frequent) action, more chances to hit it big — and more opportunities to find players in your weight class. Plus, high player traffic adds to the credibility of the site.

Payment Methods

Offshore poker sites are open to players from all corners of the world. As a result, they make an effort to enable players to make payments using credit/debit cards, digital wallets, or crypto.

There are a few things to keep in mind when selecting a banking method. First of all, some American banks won’t process payments to offshore platforms. If you’re not sure what your bank’s policy is, better go with crypto or e-wallets.

Second, you should check any fees, limits, and transaction speeds associated with banking methods. Finally, some platforms insist that players use the same payment method for deposits and withdrawals, so make sure your choice covers both.

Device Compatibility

Device compatibility can make or break your experience, especially if you prefer playing poker on your phone. That’s why it’s important to pick a site that also offers mobile compatibility or, better yet, dedicated apps for Android and iOS.

Nowadays, top-rated desktop poker sites let you play poker directly on the website, without the need to download proprietary software, which was unimaginable earlier.

Customer Support

When operators value their players, they will strive to provide the best possible experience, which entails offering dependable and prompt customer assistance.

Considering online poker platforms are regarded as hubs for players from all over, the support staff must be available 24/7, at least via email and live chat.

Moreover, the website should feature an extensive FAQ section to help players resolve their concerns independently.

Benefits of Playing Online Poker in Kansas City, MO

With no state-regulated poker sites available in Missouri, players in Kansas City flock to offshore poker platforms, hoping for a winning hand. Online poker sites offer numerous advantages over traditional land-based establishments, and we’ll outline them below.

Convenience – Why leave your house when you can play poker in your pajamas? These sites offer the comfort of playing anytime, anywhere, on any device — no need to hit the road and deal with traffic just to play a few rounds.
Wider range of buy-ins – The beauty of virtual poker is that it caters to high-rollers, conservative players, and everyone in between.
Lower rake percentage – Rakes at internet poker rooms are drastically lower than in brick-and-mortar establishments. Any player can find a place at the table, regardless of skill or budget.
Higher player traffic – When a site has more player traffic, you have more games and tournaments at your disposal, and the prize pool is generally better. Joining a virtual poker table also means you get to mingle with a bunch of international card sharks. This will help you level up your game by picking up new tricks. Maybe you’ll even learn how to bluff like a pro!
Broader game and tournament selection – While old-school poker rooms can have quite a few games and events, they pale in comparison to online poker sites.
Various bonuses and promotional offers – Unlike traditional casinos, internet poker platforms present exciting offers like sign-up bonuses, reloads, and VIP perks. Although you’d want to accept the deal on the spot, we urge you to read the fine print first.

Famous Poker Players From Kansas City, Missouri

The most notable player to emerge from Kansas City is Blair Hinkle. He is number one on Missouri’s All-Time Money list, with total live winnings equalling $5,032,710. To date, he has won one WSOP bracelet and 5 WSOPC rings, and his earnings from WSOP events amount to $1,697,613.

In 2008, he and his brother Grant (now residing in KS) earned bracelets at WSOP events, making them the only brothers to achieve such success. Blair took home $507,613 from the $2,000 No-Limit Hold ’em that year. Grant Hinkle managed to beat notorious sharks like Chris “Jesus” Ferguson and win $831,279 in the $1,500 No-Limit Hold ’em event.

Best Land-Based Poker Rooms in Kansas City, MO

Even though Missouri lacks standalone poker rooms, its live poker scene is buzzing. The following riverboat casinos are great places to practice your poker face:

Name	Address	Number of tables	Cash games	Tournaments
Harrah’s Kansas City	1 Riverboat Drive, Kansas City, MO 64116	15	Yes	Yes
Bally’s Casino	1800 E Front St, Kansas City, MO 64120	1	Yes	No
Ameristar Casino St. Charles	1 Ameristar Blvd, St. Charles, MO 63301	12	Yes	Yes
Century Casino Cape Girardeau	777 Main St, Cape Girardeau, MO 63701	4	Yes	Yes
Hollywood Casino St. Louis	777 Casino Center Drive, Maryland Heights, MO 63043	20	Yes	Yes
Horseshoe St. Louis	999 N. Second St., St. Louis, MO 63102	10	Yes	Yes

FAQ

What is the legal status of online poker in Kansas City, Missouri?

Online poker’s legality in Kansas City, MO, remains ambiguous. As there are no explicit laws prohibiting playing poker on offshore platforms, the general view is that it is safe to engage in online poker.

What is the minimum age requirement for playing online poker in Kansas City?

To enjoy the thrill of online poker in Kansas City, you must be of legal gambling age according to the site you’re playing on, which is typically 18 years old.

Are there any special promotions or bonuses offered by online poker sites in Kansas City?

Absolutely, plenty of gambling platforms provide lucrative bonuses and promotional deals to players residing in Kansas City.

Adrian Sterne

Editor

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Hi, I am the Chief Editor of top10pokersites.net, this site is dedicated to all thing poker. I have been working around the poker industry for the last 15 years, with different brands. The main purpose of this site is to keep you uptodate with the industry and offer you the best deals around.